Thread: RCD is back

Seans flemish giants are all dead. And a neighbour has found dead rabbits on his property. I never did an autopsy but I'm picking it is rabbit calicivirus disease.

There was a wave of the virus about 10 years ago,that cleaned up the rabbits

Goes threw here regularly, only gets about 40-50 percent now rest are immune.

Hasn't reached this far yet, sorry to hear of your loss

Shot a rabbit a while ago that only had one ear but I can't find the picture. The kittens the doe had are alive and are being bottle fed.

Was talking to a guy out Pongaroa the other day and said he thinks it out there aswell.

Thanks Frosty

Yes it fires up every few years down here too. The ODC were talking about bringing in another strain from Asia I think, to deal with the "immune" rabbits. I read it in a weekly farming mag a few months back.

There is nothing being bought in, however the councils love telling people there is as it gets them off their back for a bit.

The virus is around a lot more than people realize. Ida valley has 80ish% resistance (recorded) though. So for every 2 dead rabbits seen there is another 8 resistant ones around.....

The key thing about resistance is the young are immune so it's the older ones that tip over. I'm pretty sure it's revived through parts of Central Hawkes Bay as the two main places we were nailing heaps suddenly have gone strangely quiet and one of the farmers reports seeing sick rabbits wandering around

Havent got much of a population around here but every few years we start finding sick and dying rabbits - mostly adults and abandoned youngsters. Usually once humidity increases after prolonged dry spells as now. Waikato. Sorry to hear Seans bunnies have died. Have heard some of the domestic varieties are more susceptible than others

Where I shoot the dogs and cats catch and eat alot of rabbits, is RCD any concern to other species?

Originally Posted by Wirehunt

There is nothing being bought in, however the councils love telling people there is as it gets them off their back for a bit.

The virus is around a lot more than people realize. Ida valley has 80ish% resistance (recorded) though. So for every 2 dead rabbits seen there is another 8 resistant ones around.....

Haha really? That was a waste of my reading time then! Lol

Originally Posted by JRW87

Where I shoot the dogs and cats catch and eat alot of rabbits, is RCD any concern to other species?

It won't effect any dogs or cats.

Found another dead one tonight on neighbours property.

Originally Posted by Dundee

Found another dead one tonight on neighbours property.

Dundee

Maybe a person or persons unknown, other than an official type people have released a new strain.

It's been known to happen before from time to time.

Cheers
Pete